Malloy’s shoulder to lean on

In my July 14 post, I noted that presidents of the United States often form close bonds with their predecessors, even those with whom they have had spirited disagreements. The burdens of the White House are so unique that in most cases, former presidents are the only individuals with whom a weary president truly can commiserate.

In all likelihood, there is a similar dynamic between state governors and former governors.With that in mind, Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has dealt with his share of tough situations. At present, Gov. Malloy arguably faces no greater trouble than the federal investigation into how the state Democratic Party paid for its efforts to boost his successful 2014 re-election bid. Notably, the feds are looking into allegations that money donated by state contractors was spent on mailers touting the governor, in defiance of a 2005 state law that prohibits these folks from contributing to candidates for state offices and party accounts for state races. Before it settled with the Democrats in June, the State Elections Enforcement Commission had conducted an investigation in which it subpoenaed for documents that may show whether Gov. Malloy was personally involved in the mailer transaction.

If Gov. Malloy finds everything overwhelming and needs to talk to someone, he may want to get in touch with one predecessor in particular.

Former Gov. John G. Rowland is especially well-equipped to be Gov. Malloy’s “Mailergate” shoulder to lean on. Mr. Rowland, a Republican, resigned in July 2004, a little less than halfway through his third four-year term, as the feds probed his personal dealings with people who had business before the state. In December 2004, two days before Christmas, Mr. Rowland pleaded guilty to a corruption charge. He later spent nearly a year in prison. The Rowland scandal prompted the aforementioned restrictions on contractor cash in state elections.

Connecticut’s 86th and 88th governors have clashed over policy, but as I noted in my posts from Oct. 7, 2013 and April 1, 2014, there is some compelling evidence they have great personal regard for one another. As such, there is reason to believe Mr. Rowland can provide the solace Gov. Malloy may be in need of in the coming weeks and months.